Apparatus for cooling and preserving foods, &amp;c., by liquid air.



. I J. P. PLACE. APPARATUS FOR COOLING AND PRESERVING FOODS, 610., BYLIQUID AIR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20, 1906.

927,595, Patented July 13, 1909.

, 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1. N N

J. P. PLACE; v APPARATUS FOR COOLING AND PRESERVING FOODS, &o., BYLIQUID AIR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20, 1906.

Patented July 13 4 sums-sum 2.

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APPARATUS FOR COOLING AND PRESERVING FOODS, &o., BY LIQUID AIR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20. 1906.

Patented July 13, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3. 31 6.

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J. I. PLACE.

APPARATUS FOR COOLING AND PRESERVING FOODS, &o., BY LIQUID AIR.

APPLICATION FILED 11012011906.

Patented July 13, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES PLACE, OF GLENRIDGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN AIRLIQUEFYING 00., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK APPARATUS FOR COOLING ANDPRESERVIN'G FOODS, &;c., BY LIQUID AIR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented July 13, 1909.

Application filed November 20, 1906. Serial No. 344,250.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES F: PLACE, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Glenridge, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus forCooling and Preserving Foods, &c., by Liquid Air, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for cooling railway cars, especiallyfor so called refrigerator cars; but it may also be used for cooling andkeeping cool cold storage rooms anywhere or whereverfruits, meats orfood products are sought to be preserved.

The invention is especially applicable, also, for maintaining relativelylow tem eratures in cold storage rooms on steams ips, and preserving theerishable products during transportation tfierein.

The object of the invention is to not only maintain a uniformly cooltemperature, but to keep the car or storage room dry and pure; to save alarge part of the space taken y ice; to reduce the weight of therefrigerant carried by refrigerator cars; and to reserve the perishableproducts better am at much less cost. I attain these objects by the useof liquid air or liquid nitrogen as the refrigerant and preserver; andby means of the mechanism or apparatus herein described.

In order that those skilled in the art may understand and. make use ofmy invention, I have illustrated it, as used in an ordinary refrigeratorcar, by the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is alongitudinal'vertical section of such refrigerator car, with the icebunkers removed, and my apparatus shown located therein. Fig. 2 is atransverse section of the car, or the end removed, showing my apparatusin elevation. Fig. 3 is a similar transverse section, or view from themiddle of the car looking toward one of the ends. Fig. 4 shows inelevation a plan or front view of the outside gage or indicator, whichindicates to the attendant outside the quantity at all times of liquidair in the containers, holders or tanks inside the car-0r refrigeratingroom. Fig. 5 .is a modified form of thermostat for use in the car orrefrigerating room. Fig. 6 shows a mercury thermometer for indicatingoutside-the caror refrigerating room the temperature therein-the samebeing protected by a glass case outside, and the bulb protected by aperforated box inside. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal vertical section of oneof the liquid air evaporating holders, showing in detail the safetvrelief valve and the oxygen automatic dischargin valve; Fig. 8 is atransverse view in vertica section of this automatic discharging valve;Fig. 9 shows the mercury thermostat, in vertical section on an enlargedscale; and Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of the liquid indicatorV wheel and stem, showing details. Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are detail viewsof the leather or rubber outlet check or flap valve in top of the car orinclosurethe first two being in vertical section, and the other a planview.

Similar reference marks refer to similar parts throughout the severaldrawings.

At the numeral 1 I show the car body, which is made with the outer andinner insulating still air spaces 2 and 2, as usually built. Often thereare three such still or dead air spaces. At 3 I show a series of lightliquid gas tanks, preferably made of thin sheet metal, such as steel oriron. Ten are shown in the drawing, 5 at each end inside of the car,although a larger or less number may be used. These tanks are preferablylocated on end, and are eonnecte together near the tops by theconnecting pi es 4 (see Fig. 2). One or more of these tan rs has anescape, or gas discharge, at the top, through suitable safety valves 5and 5, which safety valves are preferably set so as to discharge at asuitable light pressure, say at from 5 lbs. to 10 lbs. to the squareinch inside the tanks. In a detail view (Fig. 7), the preferredconstruction of these tanks or eva orating liquid air holders, is shown,with a so a sectional view of this safety relief or outlet dischargingvalve 5 or 5. This valve may be fixed to one holder only, or attached tothe connecting pipe 4in which case only one valve will be required foreach series of holders. These tanks (3) are fixed to a common base 6 and6, by the screws 7 or other suitable fastenings; and these bases aresupported by the springs 8 and 8prefera bly of the usual steel wirehelical variety; though rubber or any other suitable spring will do.These springs rest on the bottom of the car, and are held in place b anysuitable guides, such as shown at 9. 'l hose liquid gas tanks are heldagainst lateral motion by the guides 10 and 10 and 11 and 11respectively, which may 1 form of thermostat (26) is shown in Fig. 5,

be of any suitable construction. These guides are fixed as shown to thecar body, and the insulating partitions 12 and 12. These insulatingpartitions 12 and 12 separate the tanks at each end from the interiorspace of the car, so that the tanks are practirally inclosed in a smallspace aand a at each end of the car, but are insulated from the interiorloading space. The guides, 10 and 10 and 11 and 11, while preventing thetanks from moving either sidewise or backward and forward, yet allow thetanks on the bases 6 and 6 to freely move up and down as the resiliencyof the springs 8 and 8 allowor they will move up as the weight in thetanks grows less, or move down whenever they are filled with liquid andthe springs are compressed with the increased weight.

At the bottom I have charging or dis charge pipes 13 and 13 providedwith suitable cocks or valves 14 and 1 1, and hose connections 15 and15. These pipes 13 and 13 pass through the car body, preferably at thebottom, and are fixed to the bases 6 and 6, respectively, as shown at 13(Fig. 2). Each pipe 13 and 13 is connected to branch pipes, as shown at16 in Fig. 7; which connect each with one of the tanks, as shown at 16in Fig. 2. The pipes 13 and 13 are made so as to readil slide up anddown through the bottom or the car, the same being packed with theleather or other suitable packings 17 and 17 respectively, so that noair is allowed to pass in or out the cars around the pipes. See Fig. 7.

At 18 and 18 1 show two small spindles or stems one of which passesthrough each end of the car, and each of which has fixed to its outerend, outside the car, an index finger 19 and 19, which are protected bythe cases 20 and 20 having the glass face 21 and 21, respectively. Onthe inner end of these stems 18 and 18 I have fixed suitable groovedpulleys 22 and 22, with a wire or cord 23 and 23, which is attachedrespectively to the stud 24 or 24 on one of the tanks 3. The stem isheld against this wire or cord by the spiral spring 25 or 25; so that asthe tanks move up and down on the springs 3 or S, (as the weight of theliquid gas therein varies), the outside index fingers 21 and 21 willshow to the trainman outside exactly how much liquid there is in theseries of tanks at each end of the car. This is an important feature ofmy invention as will further be explained. In Fig. 4 I show another viewof the index gage, showing more clearly some of the details thereof andin Fig. 10 is shown a detail view of the V wheel 22 or 22, the stem 18or 18 and the little helical-spring 25 or 25 which holds the wheel 22 or22 and. the index finger 19 or 19 against the cord 23.

At 26 I have a suitable thermostat, made as shown with a mercury tube.Another consisting of two strips of metal in form of a ring, orhorse-shoe, the metal strips being of unequal thermal expansion, suchfor instance as steel and brass. The mercury thermostat 2G is shown invertical section on an enlarged scale in Fig. 9. The simplest form ofthis mercury thermostat (26) is similar to an ordinary mercurythermometer, of a large size, the bulb being extra large, and the glasstube being open at the top. A cork float Z; rests on the top of themercury, and is held to the surface of the mercury by a light spring c,to this cork may be attached the eye (Z to which the cords 27 and 27 arefixed. is the temperature falls the mercury contracts, and helicalspring 0 presses the cork 1) down as the column of mercury-in the tubefalls and the cords 27 and 27 pull the gates 23 and 23 and 29 and 29partially or wholly shut; as the temperature rises in therefrigeratinginelosure in which the thermostat 2G is located, themercury in said thermostat expands and the cork b rises in the tube, andthe. cords 27 and 27 being loosened, the tension of the springs f and 9partially or fully open the gates 23 and 28 and 29 and 29.

At 30 l have an escape valve, of leather, or some other suitablematerial, which opens into the dead air insulating space 2 at thetop ofthe ear. The nitrogen gas, after evaporating in the tanks 3 at each endof the car, and passing up through relief valve 5 or 5, and down outthrough the gates 29 and 29, and absorbing heat from the car space,finally passes up through this flap valve 30, and circulating over thetop of the car in air-space 2, passes through similar valves 31 and 31near the end of the car into the insulating air space 2 on top of thecar. From here it passes out into the open through a similar flap valve32, which is protected by the perforated cover 33. Valves similar to 31and 31 may be located on the sides near the end, as at 31 to insure morecomplete circulation of the escaping nitrogen gas, (see Fig. 3).

At 34 and 34 (see Figs. 1, 7 and 8) I show check valves connected withone of the liquid air tanks in the series at each end of the car, andopening thepassage in the pipe (34 from said tanksinto the flexibletubes 35 and 35 respectively. Said flexible tubes are tightly connectedwith the nipples 36 and 36 respectively, which passthrough theinsulating partitions 12 and 12 respectively, and connect with theradiating grillage or pipe loops 37 and 37' (see Figs. 1, 3 and 7). Thisvalve 34 (or 34) as well as the chamber below the same, and the outletbib 34 (which is connected through said valve with the passage in thepipe 34 is held firmly in position by the pipe 34 attached to one of thetanks (see Fig. 7) the valve is kept to its seat by the spring 34, untilforced open ,by

the bracket 40. The flexible tube 35 (or 35) at its upper end is slippedover the downwardly projecting hose bib 34 and made fast thereto, andits lower end is made fast to the pipe 36 in a similar manner, thusforming a connecting passage between the radiating grillage 37, and thetank 3, through the valve 34, whenever said valve is opened by pressureon the bracket 40 when the tank 3 is caused to rise by the spring 8.

At 40 and 40 are shown brackets, fixed to the partitions 12 and 12, seeFigs. 1 and 7, respectively, at suitable distances above the springcheck valves 34 and 34 so that as the liquid air in the tanks 3evaporates and the charges therein grow lighter in weight and the tanksrise upwardly on the springs 8 or 8, that the stems of the check valveswill press against the brackets 40 and 40 and the valves open. Thesebrackets will be placed at such points so that when the nitrogen (whichevaporates first) has all (or substantially all) evaporated, the oxygenliquid as it eva crates in the tanks 3 will pass through t e checkvalves 34 and 34 into the radiating pipe grillage 37 and 37, and notinto the car space. This is a valuable feature of my invention, as itenables me to supply to the perishable products in the car, or in a coldstorage room, pure dry nitrogen gas all the time, and keep the oxygengas (which is the prime cause of deterioration and decay) away fromcontact with such perishable products; and yet to avail of therefrigerative or cooling effect of all of the evaporating liquid air. a

The operation of the mechanism or a aratus is very sim le: The tanks 3are filYed with liquid air, (w ich is kept at a convenient station undera suitable pressure) through a leather or other suitable flexible hoseattached to the nipples 15 and 15. This liquid air is a mixture of aboutin volume of liquid nitrogen, and about 20% of liquid oxygenorpractically the same proportions as the atmosphere. The temperature ofthe .car being above that for which the thermostat 26 or 26 is set, thedampers 28 and 28 and 29 and 29 are open. The car is then preferablyfilled with whatever merchandise is desired to be kept cool andpreserved, and is then desert-preferably air-tight. The circulation ofthe air in the car space commences, and the warmer air passes in at thetop through the gates 28 and 28, into the insulated inclosures a and ain which are located the liquid air tanks, and down and around the tanksin the said inclosures at the ends of the car. This circulation sets upan evaporation-ofthe liquid air in the tanks at once, and thecirculating air around the tanks being cooled, falls by gravity to thebottom, and passes out through the gates 29 and 29 into the car-s ace,mixed with the nitrogen gas escaping mm the safety valves 5 and 5 forthe nitrogen passes off first as the liquid air evaporates in the tanks.As the car or cold storage room becomes filled with cool nitrogen, thewarmer air in the car space is forced out by the accumulating pressurethrough the valves 30, 31 and 31 and 32. This operation continues untilgradually all of the air, practically, in the'car-space is replaced bycool nitrogen gas. In many cases of the car-space is occupied by theload of fruit or other erishable food products; so that the car is lledmany times each hour with the cool nitrogen gas evaporating from theliquid air charges in the tanks. As the fruit, meats or other productsand the car space become cooled to the temperature desired, thethermostat 26 acts, and the gates 28 and 28 and 29 and 29 graduallyclose, until finallythe liquid air tanks are shut off from thecirculating air in the car space. The tanks thus being in an insulatedinclosure, a or a, with little or no circulation around them,evaporation of the liquid air in the same is retarded, and finallyreaches such a low stage, that it is just sufficient to neutralize theheat which passes through the walls of the car. Gates 28 and 28 can bearranged to close air-tight, and gates 29 and 29, closed not so tightbut that the nitrogen gas escaping from the tanks may pass into the carspace. WV hen the bulk of the nitrogen has evaporated from the liquidair charges, the loss of weight will cause the tanks to be lifted up onthe springs 8 or 8, and the brackets 40 and 40 will come in contact withvalve stems of check valves 34 and 34' respectively and pressing downthe spring 34, open said valve. The evaporated gas in the tanks, beingthen relieved from pressure will no longer lift the safety valves 5 and5 (for ,the spring 5 will close the valve), but will pass out throughthe radiating pipe loops 37 and 37 into the insulating spaces 2 and 2and out into the open through the flap valve 32. The brackets 40 and 40may be so adj usted as to open the check valves 34 and 34 when thenitrogen has about all passed off, so the residue or oxygen does notpass into the car space, and does not come in contact with the fruit orother products being cooled or preserved.

If it is desired to save the oxygen, 25% more liquid air may be put intothe tanks than ordinarily required for a days run; and then when theindex gages 19 and 19 show that about four-fifths of the charges haveevaporated, a hose may be attached to the bibs 15 and 15 and by openingthe cocks 14 and 14 successively, the oxygen liquid may from the pipes38 and 38, will set up and maintain a constant circulation all throughsaid spaces, thereby insulating the interior of the car from the normalheat of the outside atmosphere; the top of the car, which is'mostexposed to the sun, being doubly insulated in this respect. I

In Fig. 6'1 show an ordinary mercury thermometer 42, the bulb 43 beinglocated inside the car space or cold storage room, and the stem ioutside, graduated on the stem and protected by the outside frame 45,and having the glass face 46, so the temperature inside can be readilyseen at all times from the outside. The bulb inside is protected by theperforated case 4.

While the drawings illustrate a refrigerator car, with dead or still airinsulating spaces around the same, as ordinarily built; yet it may alsoserve to illustrate the applicability of my invention to any coldstorage room, or any inclosure or space to be cooled, or used for thestorage and preservation or for cooling or refrigerating of meats,fruits. fish, eggs, or any other perishable foods or food products,whether being preserved in warehouses, markets, hotels or residences, orduring transportation in cars or steamships.

The words insulation, insulated or insulating used herein; refer toinsulation against circumambient heat, or the normal heat of theatmosphere, or the environment of the substance or space sought to beinsulated or cooled.

laving thus described my invention what I claim as new and original and.desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an apparatus for cooling by evaporating liquid air, an insulatedinclosure to be cooled having a separate insulated compartment therein,and operating gates connecting said separate compartment with said inclosure; in operative combination with a non-insulated liquid-gasevaporating holder within said separate compartment, having a valvedpassage in or near its top connecting said holder with and delivering tosaid compartment, arranged to open at and by a predetermined lightpressure; and a thermostat within said inclosure to be cooled, arrangedto operate said gates as the temperature in said inclosure changeswhereby the amount of air allowed to circulate in a given time from saidinclosure through said compartment and over said holder, and be thussubjected to the cooling action of the evaporating liquid therein, isincreased or diminished as the temperature in said inclosure changes,thereby increasing or diminishing the evaporation of the liquid air insaid holder and the delivery of the cold evaporated gases therefrom tosaid compartment and said insulated inclosure.

2. An apparatus for cooling by liquid air, comprising in operativecombination, an inor close said gate as the temperature rises or fallsin said inclosure.

3. in an apparatus for cooling by liquid air, the combination with therefrigerating room or inclosure to be cooled, of a separate compartmentformed by a partition therein and connected therewith by openings at thetop and bottom of the partition wall separating the same; one or morevertically-movable evaporating tanks or liquid-gas holders within saidseparate compartment adapted to be charged with liquid air, and havingone or more springs on which they are supported; a safety relief valveconnected with said tank or holders, near the top thereof, and set so asto open only at a pre-determined light pressure a discharging orpressure releasing check-valve connected with said tank or holders; anda bracket fixed to the partition wall of said compartmentthe parts beingso arranged that as said liquidair charge evaporates and thereby becomeslighter in weight said tank or holders will rise on the spring supportsand at a predetermined point said check valve will come in contact withsaid bracket and automatically be opened thereby, and the release of thepressure in said tank or holder will permit said safety valve to close.

a. An apparatus for cooling by liquid air, comprising in operativecombination a refrigerating room or inclosure to be cooled, havinginsulated inclosed air spaces around the same; a separate insulatedinclosure connected with said refrigerating room; radiating pipeslocated Within said refrigerating room, and connected at the outlet ordelivery end thereof with said insulating air-spaces a verticallymovable liquid gas evaporating holder, arranged to be charged withliquid air, located within said separate inclosuresaid holder having twospring-actuated check valves, one of which is connected with anddelivers to said radiating pipes and the other to said separateinclosure one or more springs arranged to support said holderv wherebyit automatically falls or rises with the increase or decrease of theWeight of the T'quid-gas charge therein; and means for automaticallyoperating one of said valves by the vertical movement of saidevaporating holder.

5. In an apparatus for cooling by liquid air, the combination with arefrigerating room or inclosure to be cooled, insulated from the normalheat of the atmosphere by inclosed air-s aces around the same, of aseparate insu ated compartment; radiating pipes Within saidrefrigerating room delivering to the insulating air-spaces around thesame; a vertically movable eva )orating holder, arranged to be chargedwit liquid air, within said separate compartment, having two valves-onedelivering to said separate compartment and the other to said radiatingpipes; one or more springs on which said liquid-air evaporating holderis supportedwhereby said holder falls and rises on said spring supportas the weight of the liquid charge therein varies, or the tension onsaid spring support is increased or diminished; and means forautomatically operating one of said valves by the vertical movement ofsaid holder.

6. In an apparatus for cooling by liquid gas, the combination with arefrigerating room, or inclosure to be cooled, insulated from the normalheat of the atmosphere, of an insulated liquid-gas evaporating chamberseparated from said refrigerating room by an insulating transversepartition having inlet openings to said evaporating chamber from saidrefrigerating room over or near the top of said partition, and outletopenings from said chamber to said refrigerating room, under or near thebottom of said partitionsaid inlet and outlet openings being controlledby gates; a liquid-gas uninsulated evaporating container within saidevaporating chamber, exposed to the air currents therein, arranged to becharged with liquid gas and having a spring-actuated gas-valve openingtherefrom, and means for operating said gates by a thermostat in saidrefrigerating room, thereby controlling the degree or rapidity ofevaporation of the liquid-gas charge in said evaporating containerwithin said separated liquid-gas evaporating chamber.

7. In an a paratus for cooling by liquid air, the com ination with arefrigerating room, or inclosure to be cooled, insulatedv from thenormal heat of the atmosphere, of an insulated liquid-air evaporatingchamber separated from said refrigerating room by an insulatingpartition having inlet openings to said evaporating chamber from saidrefrigerating room over or near the top of said partition, and outletopenings from said chamber to said refrigerating room, under or near thebottom of said partition; a liquid-air evaporating container within saidevaporating chamber, exposed to the air-currents therein, and arrangedto be charged with liquid air; and means for controlling the size ofsaid inlet and outlet openings by the changes in temperature of saidrefrigerating room, and thereby regulating the degree or rapidity ofevaporation of said liquid-air charge in the exposed container withinsaid eva crating chamber, and means for automatical y delivering thefirst gaseous (products of distillation, or a predetermine part of saidliquidair charge as eva orated, lnto said refrigerating room, and t elater gaseous products of distillation, or the remainder of saidliquidair charge, to the open air without passing into saidrefrigerating room.

8. In an apparatus for cooling by liquid air, the combination with arefrigerating room, or inclosure to be cooled, insulated from the normalheat ofthe atmosphere, of a separate insulated liquid-air vaporizingchamber connected therewith; a liquid-gas evaporating container, locatedin said chamber, arranged to be exposed to the air-currents therein andto be charged with liquid airsaid container having an outlet for thegaseous products of distillation therein, delivering to said chamber;means for controlling the air-currents in said liquid-air vaporizingchamber by the changes in temperature of said refrigerating room, andthereby regulating the degree or rapidity of evaporation of theliquid-air charge in said container, and means for vaporizing apredetermined proportion of said liquid-air charge, or only the gasesricher in nitrogen, and delivering the same to said chamber and thenceto said refrigerating room or inclosure to be cooled.

9. In an apparatus for cooling and preserving perishable food productsby liquid air, the combination with a refrigerating room or inclosure tobe, cooled, insulated from the normal heat of the atmosphere, and havingtherein a coo-ling radiating pipe or pipes of a separate insulatedinclosure, and a vessel or evaporating holder therein arranged to becharged with liquid air means for automatically regulating theevaporation or rapidity of fractional distillation of said liquid-aircharge by control of the air circulation in said separate inclosure, anddelivering to said refrigerating room or inclosure to be cooled ,thenitrogen substantially thereof as it evaporates, and means for passingthe oxygen substantially through said radiating ipe or pipeswhereby thecooling effect of both gases evaporated from said liquid-air charge isutilized, but only those richer in nitrogen are allowed to come incontact with the perishable products being preserved.

10. In an afp aratus for cooling by the evaporation o iquid air, thecombination with a refrigerating room or cold-storage inclosure, of aseparate vaporizing chamber insulated from said cold-storage room, butconnected therewith by regulated openings at or near the top, orceiling, and at or near the bottom, or floor thereof, respectively; an

uninsulated li uid-air evaporating container, located in an having agaseous outlet delivering tosaid separate chamber, and exposed to thegaseous currents therein from said cold-storage inclosure; and means forregulating the size or dimensions of said upper and said lower openingsby a thermostat ocated in said refrigerating room or coldstorageinclosure.

11. An apparatus for cooling and preserving perishable food products bythe fractional distillation of liquid air, comprising in operative'combination, a cold-storage room or insulated inclosure having aradiating pipe or pipes therein delivering outside thereof; means forautomatically delivering substantially the nitrogen only, or firstgaseous prodnets of distillation of liquid air, direct to and incontact'with said perishable food products in said insulating inclosure;and means for conducting substantially the oxygen, or the later gaseousproducts of distillation of said liquid air, through said radiating pipeor p1pes thereby utilizing the cooling effect of said later gaseousproducts of -distillation without bringing same in contact with saidperishable foods. 4

12 In an apparatus for cooling and preserv ng perisha le foods by thefractional dlstillation of liquid air, an insulated inclosure adapted totransport or store therein said perishable foods, in operativecombination With means for automatically delivering the fiIS G gaseousproducts of distillation of a liquid-air charge, or substantially thenitrogen only, to and in contact with the perishable foods in saidinsulated inclosure, and for utilizing the refrigerative effect of thelater gaseous products of said distillation, or substantially the oxygenof said liquid air charge to cool saidinsulated inclosure, withputallowing same in contact with said per ishable foods.

13. {in apparatus for cooling by liquid gas, railway cars used for thetransportation of perishable goods, comprising in combination with aninsulated refrigerator car, a separate insulated compartment within saidcar an upper and a lower opening and closing gate, connecting saidseparate compartment with the storage room or inclosure used fortransportation of goods in said car; a liquidgas evaporating holderwithin said separate compartment; uninsulated and exposed to theair-currents therein, and having an out let at the upper end thereof;and athermostat within the storage inclosure used for goods, arranged tooperate both of said gates as the temperature changes in said storage1I1cl0surethereby increasing or diminishing the opening or passagebetween said storage inclosure and said separate compartment, andcorrespondingly increasing or diminishmg both the circulation of the airor other gases through the same, and the evaporation of the liquid gasin and delivery of the cold evaporated gases from said holder.

14. Inan apparatus for cooling by liquid air, railway cars used in thetransportation of ceases perishable goods, the combination with aninsulated refrigerator car, of a separate insulated compartment withinsaid car having an operating gate or damper connecting said compartmentwith the insulated inclosure or space in said car used for thetransportation of goods; a liquid-gas evaporating holder within saidcompartment, uninsulated and exposed to the air-currentstherein-arranged to be charged with liquid gas under light pressure, andhaving a spring-actuated valve in or near its upper end connecting saidevaporating holder with and delivering to said separate compartment; anda thermostat Within the inclosure used for goods in said car, inoperative connection with said gate-the parts being so arranged that asthe temperature rises in the inclosure used for goods in said car, thethermostat opens said gate and as the temperature falls therein itcloses or partially closes the same.

15. An apparatus for cooling and preserving perishable foods by liquid.air during transportation, comprising a refrigerator car having atransverse insulating partition forming a compartment within said carsepa-- rate from the inclosure used for the trans portation of goods;incombination with a vertically-movable tank or liquid-air evaporatingcontainer, adapted to be charged with liquid air; a projecting bracketfixed to said partition; one or more springs upon which is supportedsaid evaporating container; and two valves connected with said tank orliquid-air evaporating container-one an outwardly delivering gascheck-valve at or near the top of said container, and set so as to openat a pre-determined pressurethercin, and the other a pressure-releasingvalve, fixed so as to be operated by said bracket the parts being soarranged that as said liquid-air charge evaporates and thereby be comeslighter in Weight, said container will rise on its spring-support, andat a pre-determined point said pressure-releasing valve will come incontact with said bracket and automatically be opened thereby, and bythus releasing the pressure in said container permit the other valve toclose.

16. An apparatus for cooling and preserving by liquid air perishablefood products during transportation, comprising in operative combinationa refrigerator car having insulating air inclosed spaces around thesame; a separate insulated inclosure within said car-body; radiatingpipes located within the space used for transportation of goods in saidcar, and connected at the outlet or delivery end thereof with saidinclosed insulating air spaces; a vertically-movable liquid airevaporating holder, arranged to be charged with liquid air locatedwithin said separate insulated inclosuresaid holder having two escape oroutwardly-delivering gas valves, one of which is connected with anddelivers to said radiating pipes, and the other to said separateinsulated inclosure; one or more springs on which is supported saidliquid-air pipes within the space reserved for transportation of goods,said pipes delivering to the insulating air spaces around said car; aseparate inclosure within said car body, and a vertically movableevaporating tank orholder therein arranged to be charged with liquidair, said holder being provided with and supported on one or moresprings ;whereby said holder rises and falls on said spring support asthe weight of the liquid charge therein varies, and the tension on saidspring or springs is increased or diminished; two valves connected withsaid holder-onc' delivering to said separate-inclosurc and the other tosaid radiating pipes; and means for automatically operating one of saidvalves by the vertical movement of said holder.

18. In an apparatus for cooling insulated Refrigerator cars by li uidair, the combination with a car of a iquid-air evaporating chambertherein separated by an insulating partition from the refrigeratedinclosure in said car used for transportation of goods, but connectedtherewith; a liquid-air evapcrating container in said se arate chamber,arranged to be charged wit liquid air at a tension slightly aboveatmospheric pressure in operative combination with means forautomatically regulating the evaporation of said liquid air chargeoperated by the changes intemperature of said refrigerated inclosure forgoods; and means for indicating outside of said car during the operationof the apparatus the quantity of liquid air at all times in saidcontainer.

19. In an apparatus for cooling and preserving perishable food productsby the fractional dlstillation of liquid air, the combina: tion with aninsulated inclosure adapted to store or transport therein saidperishable products; of means for automatically delivering substantiallythe nitrogen only, or first gaseous products of distillation of liquidair, to and in contact with the perishable foods in said inclosure; andmeans for separating the later product of evaporation and conducting thesame inroxlmity to the compartment for perisha le products for coolingthe same.

20. In an apparatus for cooling and pre-.

serving perishable food products by the fractional distillation ofliquid air, the combination with an insulated inclosure adapted to storeor transport therein said perishable products, of a liquid-airevaporating container; means for allowing the warmer gases in saidinsulated inclosure to be delivered in surface contact with saidcontainer, and thereby evaporating the liquid-air charge therein; athermostat in said inclosure, arranged to regulate the flow or deliveryof said warmer gases from said inclosure by the changes of temperaturetherein; and means for delivering the first gaseous products of saiddistillation, or substantially the nitrogen only to and in contact withsaid perishable products.

21. In an apparatus for cooling and preserving by liquid air, perishablefoods or food products during transportation in refrigerator carsinsulated from the normal heat of the atmosphere, the combination of arefrigerator car having a separate compartment therein communicatingwith the car-body space; a receptacle or liquid-air evaporating holderin said compartment, arranged to be charged with liquid air; radiatingpipes in the refrigerating storage inclosure, or car-space used for theperishable products, delivering outside thereof; means for automaticallyregulating the evaporation or rapidity of fractional distillation ofsaid liquid-air charge; and means for automatically delivering to theseparate compartment and from thence to the car-s ace used for goods thenitrogen, substantial y, of said liquid-air charge as it evaporates, andfor passing the oxygen, substantially, of sa d evaporating liquid chargethrough said radiating pipeswhereby the cooling effect of both gasesfrom said liquid-air charge is utilized, but only those gases richer innitrogen are allowed to come in contact with the perishable foods orfood products being transported in said car.

22. In an apparatus for cooling by hquid air refrigerator cars insulatedfrom the normal heat of the atmosphere, the combination of a liquid gasevaporating chamber in said car, separated from the inclosure forstorage of goods by an insulating partition, but connected therewith; aliquid gas evaporating container in said separate chamber, arranged tobe charged with liquid gas at a tcnslon slightly above atmos hericressure; and means for autoinatical y regu ating the degree or rapidityof evaporation of the liquidair char e in said container by a thermostatlocated in the inclosure for transportation of goods in saidrefrigerator car; and means for allowing the products of distillation ofa re- .determined pro ortion of said liqui air charge to bpcde ivered tosaid storage inclosure.-

23. An apparatus for cooling and preservs -lation of liquid air, to andin contact with the perishable products in said car; and means forpassing the oxygen or the later gaseous products of said distillation,through said radiating pipes and delivering same outside of saidcar-whereby the cooling effect ofsaid oxygen'or the later gaseousproducts of distillation, is utilized Without bringing same in contactwith said perishable goods.

24. An apparatus for cooling and preserving by fractional distillationof liquid air the perishable foods or food products being transported inrefrigerator cars, comprising in operative combination-a refrigeratorcar having an inclosure therein for storage of the perishableproducts.said inclosure being insulated by air spaces around the same,having an outlet or means of egress only to the open air; a liquid-airholder; means for automatically delivering substantially nitrogen onlyor the first gaseous products of distillation of liquid air, to saidstorage inclosure; and means for passing the oxygen substantially or thelater gaseous products of said listillation through said air spacesaround the carthereby utilizing the cooling effect of said later gaseousproducts of said distillation Without bringing same in contact with saidperishable goods or admitting same to said storage inclosure.

25. In a liquid-air cooled steamship refrigerating room or insulatedcold-storage inclosure, the combination of a separate compartment havingtherein a liquid-air container or evaporating holder; and means forregulating the eva oration of the liquefied air in said holder by athermostat in said refrigerating inclosure; and means for delivering tosaid refrigerating room a preedetermined proportion of the liquid chargeas distilled in said evaporating container.

26. In an apparatus'forcooling and pre serving perishable foods by thefractional distillation of liquid air, an insulated inclosure adapted totransport or store therein such perishable foods, and a liquid-airholder in operative combination with means for automatically controllingthe evaporation, of all the gaseous products of distillation, of aliquid-air charge, by the temperature of said insulated inclosure; andmeans for delivering the first gaseous products of said distillation, orsubstantially thenitrogen only, to and in contact with said perishableceases foods and for preventing the latergaseous products of saiddistillation, or substantially the oxygen, from coming'i'n contact withsaid perishable foods.

2? In a liquid-air cooled railway refrigerator car, a separatecompartment having a liquid-air container or evaporating holder therein,in operative combination with means for regulating the evaporation ofthe liquefied gas in said holder, by a thermostat in said car; and meansfor delivering to said car a pre-determined proportion of the liquidcharge as distilled in said evaporating container.

28. In an apparatus for cooling andpreserving perishable foods, by thefractional distillation of liquid air, a liquid air holder and means forutilizing the refrigerative and preservative effect of the first gaseousproducts of distillation of a liquid-air charge, or substantially thenitrogen only, by delivering the same to and in contact with saidperishable foods; in operative combination with means for utilizing therefrigerative effect of the later gaseous products of said distillation,or substantially the oxygen to cool said perishable foods, withoutpermitting sam in contact therewith 29. An apparatus for cooling andpreserving perishable goods during transportation, comprising inoperative combination a railway refrigerator car, having thereinaliquidair container or evaporating holder; means for delivering thewarmer gases in said car to and controlling the circulation thereof overor around said holder-whereby the evaporationor fractional distillationof'the liquid air in said holder is increased or diminished; and meansfor causing a pre-determined proportion of said products of distillationto be delivered to the inclosure used for transportation of goods insaid car.

30. In an apparatus for cooling and preserving perisha le foods by theeva oration of liquid gas, the combination .Wit an insulated inclosureada ted to store or transport therein said perishable foods, of aliquid-gas evaporating holder, and means for automatically controllingthe evaporation of- Signed at New York, in the 'countyof New York andState of New York this 25th of October A.' D. 1906.

JAMES F. PLACE.

day

Witnesses CLARENCE PLACE, Jenn H. AoKRoYn.

